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Gun Thread: Fall Edition!

Howdy, Y'all! Welcome to the wondrously fabulous Gun Thread! As always, I want to thank all of our regulars for being here week in and week out, and also offer a bigly Gun Thread welcome to any newcomers who may be joining us tonight. Howdy and thank you for stopping by! I hope you find our wacky conversation on the subject of guns 'n shooting both enjoyable and informative. You are always welcome to lurk in the shadows of shame, but I'd like to invite you to jump into the conversation, say howdy, and tell us what kind of shooting you like to do!

Fall is here! Fall is here! I have to say the fall is probably my favorite time of year. Temps are cool and I am able to get a lot of stuff done at the farm-o; the sort of things which aren't going to happen when it's in the 90s with high humidity. The only problem is that fall comes just before winter, and Weasel isn't a big fan of winter.

I mention farm chores a lot, and the truth is, most of that is servicing and preventative maintenance on equipment. I have a fair investment in stuff that runs on gas or diesel, and a little bit of routine maintenance goes a long way in making it last. With lawn care wrapping up for the season, now is a good time to take a look at your own stuff and get it ready for winter storage. If you have a lawnmower, the biggest and easiest thing you can do to help yourself is to run the tank and carb out of fuel, change the oil and air filter, and maybe thrown in a new sparkplug. A squirt of oil in the cylinder won't hurt, either. Thank me in the spring when your mower starts right up!

Also, many thanks for all the good wishes last week as we celebrated our fourth year together here on the Ol' Gun Thread!

Programming Note: I'll be in and out (mostly out) of the comments tonight, so please don't burn the place down. Thank you!

With that, step into the dojo and let's get to the gun stuff below, shall we?

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Powder and Primer Storage
And you thought our pal rhomboid only did cigar reviews! We had a discussion in the comments last week on powder and primer storage, and rhomboid stepped up and sent in the plans for the version he built.

Rhomboid also included the info on the powder storage box from a discussion on The High Road, and excellent resource on all things related to shooting. Here's a link to that thread.

Click for PDF file

On to construction!

Parts list:
1/2 sheet of 3/4" Plywood for tops and bottoms
2 pcs 24"x24 1/2" (outer piece)
2 pcs 21"x21 1/2" (inner piece)
think ahead before you cut, so you don't have to use the other half!

2x4' sides (soldier style):
26 pcs (soldiers) 15" high.
That's 32 1/2', so 3ea 12' 2x4's is more than enough.

3/4"x1 1/2" collar to tie the tops of the soldiers together
Need 2 pcs 24" long, nailed to the 24" sides.
Perpendicular sides need the 26" pcs to overlap and butt to the other two.

So a 1x2 (nominal at Home Depot) 10 feet long will make it.

I think the point is to make the box NOT glued, screwed and nailed so as to prevent burning gases to build up pressure. Top and bottom Plywood I did glue and screw together, but the top is loose. Screw a handle to it and lift.

Side soldiers were nailed only to the base plywood as shown with a single 16 penny nail into each one, either gun or hand nailed. No glue side to side. Not trying to make it leak proof, just the opposite. So each soldier loose side to side. Tops are only collared. Think beer barrels except the collar isn't steel straps, just a piece of wood with a single 8 penny nail in each soldier. That's it.

I made this box, then another one almost exactly 1/2 the size using scraps from the first box. Use the smaller one for primers stored in a different part of the house.

Excellent, rhomboid! Thank you!!

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Guns of the Horde
First up, we have a historically significant Smith & Wesson sent in by our pal Ed L!

With the clouds of WWII gathering in 1941, the USN decided to organize the USN Civilian Police Corps, or USNCPC, to protect its bases from security threats. The USN wanted M1911A1s., but with Colt already struggling to fill its existing orders, the USN turned to S&W and its Military and Police Revolver instead. S&W delivered 3,000 M&P revolvers from March through May 1941. Available records (which are very limited) indicate that the USN never formed the USNCPC due to rapid expansion of the USN in the last months of 1941. Many of the USNCPC revolvers ended up with the Office of Naval Intelligence. Others entered the general pool of weapons used to arm security guards in war industry factories, couriers, and more.

The USNCPC revolvers were identical to commercial S&W guns except for "U.S.N.C.P.C" stamped on the backstrap and inclusion of a lanyard loop on the butt. All guns were chambered in .38 Special and had commercial features such as checkered walnut grips and fine quality bluing. The USNCPC were so well liked and desired by USN personnel that more were wanted than were available to the Navy. This directly led to the Navy ordering tens of thousands of "Victory Model" revolvers after the US entered WWII. But that's another story.

Very nice, Ed L! Thank you!

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Next up up, our pal Butch shares a nice example of a Webley!

Webley Mk IV Break Top Revolver - WWII vintage, chambered in S-ampersand-W 38. I love breaking it open and sending brass all over the place.

Thank you, Butch!

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Kompetition Korner
Our pal RI Red is back in action, proving that diligent study and practice really hones your skills, and competition takes that skill to the next level. Club matches are usually easy to find, inexpensive and fun! Here are results from a recent match with his Christiansen Ranger .22 shooting Eley Match 40 gr.

Socks not too tight. 9/10 aspirin at 50 yds.

No distracting range babes. 8/10 tums at 100.

Steel at 150. 10/10. What the heck is happening here?

Getting awful small. Steel at 200. 7/10.

And the winning score is 34/40!

Very. very nicely done, RI Red!! Congratulations!!

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Over the course of my reloading career, I acquired quite a collection of precision measurement tools. Although I prefer high quality vintage tools and concentrated my collection on these, I also have a number of items which I purchased new. Have you been tempted by a too-good-to-be-true deal? Here is a very good, but long video comparing authentic and counterfeit Mitutoyo calipers.

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TXMoMe - 26 Days!

The countdown to the TXMoMe continues! That's right, boys and girls, the TXMoMe is a mere 26 days from today, and by now you should be rushing your MoMe attendance plans to completion. There are lots of big doin's in the works and your hosts Rancher Bob, Cow Horse Queen and Ben Had are ready to welcome YOU to the festivities! Have you signed up? Are you on the exclusive guest list, or are you one of the mentally defective people who always finds a reason to make it next year?

PRO TIP: Word has it there may be some, well let's just call them "exotic" weapons, available to shoot in Texas. I don't want to go into a bunch of specifics, but if you like shooting at a high cyclic rate, plan on bringing a box of brass case 9mm ball ammo (example) with you to Texas. Please, NO reloads!

Q: Weasel, what the heck is a "high cyclic rate"?
A: Well, it's faster than a low cyclic rate such as that found on semi-automatic weapons.

Q: Weasel, why do I want to do that?
A: Because it is mucho fun-o, and an opportunity that many of you might not have often.

As long as we're on the subject, if you aren't planning to bring a firearm and ammo, but plan on shooting, please pick up a box or two of ammo in the caliber you like and bring it to Texas. Each year we have lots and lots of guns, and even more shooters, and it's nice have the cost and effort needed to source the ammunition spread around a bit. We want to make the shooting available to as many as possible, and cover those who want to shoot but for whatever reason cannot bring ammo, so every little bit helps. Thank you!

Holy Shitballs, people. Have I not implored and cajoled you enough? Do you require additional imploring and cajoling? I challenge you to find a single person who has attended a TXMoMe and not found it to be a life altering experience. Life altering for the good even! So please quit screwing around and making up reasons not to commit and start planning on getting your ass to Texas in October!

You will see this material again, so for heaven's sake, so do yourself a favor and email Ben Had for details!

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Schedule O' TXMoMe Doin's

This seems like a good time to talk a little bit about the upcoming shooting program at the TXMoMe. What started years ago as an informal plinking session lasting a couple of hours has matured into a full program of shooting activities over two days. I have to thank Ben Had, Cow Horse Queen and RancherBob for allowing the shooting to comprise such a significant portion of the TXMoMe.

For a while I have been conducting a Rifle Clinic on Friday morning followed by range time Friday afternoon and then again well into Saturday. We have also been steadily refining the handgun portion of the program to now include an IDPA-esque move-and-shoot pistol course designed and run by Ben Had and Nurse R, as well as the usual static pistol range for those who prefer that.

Anyhoo, here's a very rough outline of the schedule of events. Times are tentative and subject to modification/change.

Friday, 10/21
Rifle Program
8am - 10:30am: Rifle Clinic (carport)
11:30am - 1pm: Rifle Clinic, Intro to Wind Estimation (rifle range)
1pm - 4pm: Live fire (rifle range)

Handgun Program
10:30am - Noon: Handgun Clinic (carport)
1pm - 2:30pm: Static live fire (pistol range)
2:30 - 4pm: Briefing and Move & Shoot live fire (pistol range)

Saturday, 10/22
Rifle Program
8:30am - 1pm: Live fire (rifle range)

Handgun Program
9am - 1pm: Live fire (pistol range)

Again, these times are approximate and may change as weather conditions and participation warrant. I have been doing the same presentation on rifles for a number of years now, so if you would like me to cover new or different material, just mention it in the comments or send me an email!

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More on Ammo for Texas
Let's talk a little more about bringing ammunition to the TXMoMe. The options are buy it at home and ship it UPS, buy it at home and ship it in your airline checked baggage, or just buy it once you get to Texas.

Let's begin with the easiest, first. Texas is awash in shooting and outdoor stores, and you really shouldn't have any trouble using this option. There are a lot of sporting goods stores on the south side of Dallas and in the towns all the way down I-45 to Corsicana. A quick internet search should return several options, and you might want to identify a couple before you leave home. Next, there is a store in Corsicana, Brinson PowerSports, that has a generally reliable stock of major calibers, although ammo is not listed on their website. I'd suggest calling first and asking if they have what you're looking for. The physical address and phone number is:

Brinson PowerSports
1931 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Corsicana, TX 75110
903-229-4330

Honestly, sourcing ammo locally seems like the most logical choice to me, but for those of you with special needs, it's pretty easy to fly with ammunition in your checked baggage. Here I am speaking in very general terms and it is incumbent upon YOU to check in advance with your airline, confirm the requirements, and comply with them.

Southwest Airlines is a popular option into the Dallas area, and I have found them to be gun friendly as far as these things go. Here is what I found on the Southwest Airlines Special Baggage webpage:

Packing Ammunition Small arms ammunition for personal use (provided it is properly packed) is permissible in checked baggage only.

The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm and must be securely packed in cardboard (fiber), wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.

Ammunition Limits
When checking ammunition, Customers are limited to 11 pounds (ammunition plus container) per person. Gunpowder (black powder) and primers or percussion caps are not allowed in checked or carryon baggage.

Loose ammunition or loose loaded magazines and/or clips are not allowed. Paintballs must be packaged in a leak-proof container and will be subject to limited release.

So my read is that ammunition in its original cardboard container is all you need, and it does not have to be locked inside another container inside your bag as required for a firearm, and you are allowed up to 11 pounds carried in this fashion. Although the instructions are silent on declaring the ammunition to airline personnel, again as you must do when transporting a firearm, I think it's probably a good idea to do so. You may or may not be allowed to check your baggage curbside when traveling with ammunition, so be prepared for a little extra time at the counter. Again, this is my interpretation and as we all know I am mostly full of shit, so check for yourselves.

Every airline has a section like this on their website, usually found in the baggage section, and you may have to dig around a little to find it. I also recommend printing your specific airline's policy and bringing it with you on the trip, just in case you need to help the ticket agent understand how to do their job. I will say in all the years of flying all over the country to matches, I have never once had any problem with airline personnel and their rules and have always found them well informed and helpful.

Finally, if you are really a special needs shooter, our bestest buddy and pal and host RancherBob has offered to allow people to ship their ammunition to the ranch. I would recommend this only in very unique circumstances where very specific ammunition is required and neither of the other, simpler options will work. If this is you, then contact me for details. I have shipped ammunition via UPS in the past and it works, but there are strict packaging and labeling requirements and also necessitates you visit an actual UPS location rather than a retail shipping store. Also remember, you cannot ship ammunition via USPS.

Questions? Just ask!

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Musical Interlude
Albert King & SRV jamming "Texas Flood" together. I would have loved to been there that night.

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Gun Basics 101
The She Equips Herself Gal reviews Fall concealed carry outfits!

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Cigar of the Week
Our pal and Chief Gun Thread Cigar Correspondent rhomboid brings it with another excellent cigar review. Thanks rhomboid!

The Joya de Nicaragua silver, corona size (vitola). Box-pressed, fairly small dimensions (5.25 X 42). A beautiful dark Ecuador Habano wrapper has a Mexican San Andres binder and Nicaraguan filler within. "Finish" looks a bit rustic and rough, but the draw is good and the burn is even, so construction passes the test. I get sweet tobacco, earth, and even some cocoa or chocolate notes at different points in the burn. Considered medium-full in body, which sounds exactly right. A very tasty option when one is looking for something moderately stronger than a mild cigar. Got a 92 from Cigar Afficionado and made their Top 25 list. Available for $6-7 online.

A note about sources. The brick & mortar/online divide exists with cigars, as with guns, and most consumer products, with respect to price. As with guns - since both are "persecuted industries", basically - I make a conscious effort to source at least some of my cigars from my local store(s). It's a small thing, but the brick & mortar segment for both guns and tobacco are precious, and worth supporting where you can. And if you're lucky enough to have a good cigar store/lounge available, they're often a good social event with many dangerous people of the sort who own scary gunz, or read smart military blogs like this one. -rhomboid

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Here are some different online cigar vendors. You will find they not only carry different brands and different lines from those brands, but also varying selections of vitolas (sizes/shapes) of given lines. It's good to have options, especially if you're looking for a specific cigar.

Cigarsinternational.com
Cigarpage.com
Famous-smoke.com
Cigarsdaily.com
Neptunecigar.com
Smallbatchcigar.com
Bobalu Cigar Company

Anyone have others to include? Perhaps a small local roller who makes a cigar you like? Send me your recommendation and a link to the site!

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Here is Cigar Vixen with a review of the Punch Knuckle Buster.

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Ammo Link-O-Rama

I'm really very seriously not kidding around anymore. Buy Ammo
AmmoSeek - online ammo search tool
GunBot - online ammo search tool
SG Ammo
Palmetto State Armory
Georgia Arms
AmmoMan
Target Sports USA
Bud's Gun Shop

***Mail Bag***

This week's mailbag entry is from our pal Fungus Boy

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Please note the new and improved protonmail account gunthread at protonmail dot com. An informal Gun Thread archive can be found HERE. Future expansion plans are in the works for the site Weasel Gun Thread. If you have a question you would like to ask Gun Thread Staff offline, just send us a note and we'll do our best to answer. If you care to share the story of your favorite firearm, send a picture with your nic and tell us what you sadly lost in the tragic canoe accident. If you would like to remain completely anonymous, just say so. Lurkers are always welcome!

That's it for this week - have you been to the range?